* Path of Positivity: Vintage Florals

Hello

Welcome to the September Path of Positivity Challenge.

Our challenge is always Anything Goes with an optional theme.

This month's option is to design a project that is inspired by our Tic-Tac-Toe board.

Honours and Prizes include:

• $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
• A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Voter's Choice, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.

Here is my DT project:

I decided on the middle row (add trim, add dimension/texture and make own background) although my project also fits the top row, the first column and the top left to bottom right diagonal as well.

 I used a beautiful vintage floral image that was free with any purchase from Gecko Galz last month. I printed it out twice, so that I could fussy cut the tulip heads, the butterfly and some of the leaves. I shaped the tulip heads with a ball tool and popped foam tape under the centre of each so that they have dimension. I curled the leaves and left them free of adhesive so that they have some movement - this gives both dimension and texture. The butterfly was folded and adhered just in the centre.

The background was made by blending ink (Antique Lined and Frayed Burlap around the edges), then over-stamping in Antique Linen using a script stamp. Water was sprayed over the background and blotted to bleach out some colour.

 I matted the image and the background onto gold card (my nod to the 'bling' option in the top row). Some gorgeous lace trim was adhered along the base of the background and the floral panel was popped on foam tape to raise it and add dimension.

That's all for now.

We would love to see your creations! 
Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!
The link up is here: Challenge #115 Path of Positivity.

 

Many thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring the challenge.

I'll be back with a another Path of Positivity project in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks for stopping by today!

xoxo

                                                                                                                                            

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Pammies InkyPinkies #1335 AG 10/09

* Beautiful Blossoms Challenge AG with Flowers #8 12/09

Creatalicious Challenges #266 AG 14/09

* LilPatchnofCrafty Friends £213 AG 16/09

* A Perfect Time to Craft Sept AG 28/09 Spotlight Favourite

* 613 Avenue Create Sept AG 30/09

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo

* Gecko Galz: Christmas Mouse

 

Hello

The free Christmas image at Gecko Galz for August is an adorable Christmas Mouse. 

I used her to make a digital card:

I teamed the image with an ATC from the Christmas in Nature ATC set. I digitally enlarged the ATC, added some border masks to add texture and interest to the paper. I added a deep red mat for the image to rest upon and then layered digital ephemera in the form of florals and foliage and a sentiment.

Next, I printed the image and papers to make a handmade card.

Of course, you'll notice a difference in image clarity straight away - a lot depends upon the quality of your printer and the status of your ink, as well as the type of card you use. The colours on mine are a lot duller than the actual digital versions, but I find the digital layout is good for designing and brain storming.

I find there's nothing quite like the touchy-feely aspect of a handmade card. I always add texture and dimension to my cards. This one is layered and matted and also has die cut foliage and faux berries, as well as a tiny sentiment tag.

That's all for now.

I'll be back on the 20th August with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Beach Babes"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

* The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge Aug AG 20/08 Top 5

* Tic Tac Toe Challenge #222 24/08 (TOP ROW) 

* Most Magical Time of theYear AG Halloween/Christmas 26/08

* A Perfect Time to Craft July AG 28/08 Spotlight Favourite

* Outlawz Festive Fridays Challenge Aug AG Christmas/Animals 31/08

* Outlawz Challenges Aug AG 31/08

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***

* Gecko Galz: Beautiful Boho

 

Hello

October is well and truly under way now and the leaves are fast falling from the trees. We hope you'll find some time to get cozy and do some crafting and join us with our challenges at the Gecko Galz blog.  

The theme this month is Bohemian Rhapsody.

We have the annual Blog Hop at the end of October, starting on the 27th, with lots of free collage sheets and super prizes to be won. I do hope you'll join us.

As always, we have the monthly Image Challenge, the monthly Christmas Image Challenge, the monthly Stamp Challenge, a Steampunk challenge and a Gothic Challenge on the blog, as well as 4 Facebook challenges. 

We hope you can find some time to join in the fun.

The winner of the Customer challenge will get a $25 Gecko Galz Etsy Store voucher and the runner up a $12 voucher. There are plenty of free Gecko Galz images if you don't already own any. Each blog post has a free image to collect and, if you sign up for the monthly newsletter, there is the chance to claim a free collage set each month.  Also if you make any purchase of $2 or more you receive a free image.

I made a set of ATCs:

I really like how these turned out. I used Wild Child ATCs for the background, matted onto gold card and I fussy cut images from the collage sheets Gypsy Jewels and Gypsy Beauties. I had some elaborate sequin trim in my stash and thought this matched the images perfectly.  The words are small talk stickers.

Wild Child                          Gypsy Jewels                 

 

  Gypsy Beauties.   

***

I made a mixed media Hamsa card:

I love this symbol. It is the symbol of good luck, good fortune, good health, happiness and protection from the Evil Eye. It is a stamp from the Free Sprit Stamp Set. l printed it onto a piece of card which was coloured by smooshing the white card into puddles of inks. I fussy cut the Hamsa, edged it in black and splattered some white paint I made the background by stamping and heat embossing in gold onto black card.

***

I made a Mandala Dream Catcher:

Below is the mandala design - it is a stamp from the  Free Spirit Stamp Set. 

Again I printed onto pre-inked card, this time gluing the inky card onto thick black card for strength. I doodled in sparkly gel pens and added gold highlights as well as specks of white acrylic paint.

Here are the feathers, real and paper, that I added on twine:

The feather stamp is also from the Free Spirit Stamp Set. I added colourful craft feathers to the back of each paper feather and adhered them to the mandala with ribbon trim.

Free Spirit Stamp Set

***

I also made a simple Dream Catcher card:

This is an enlarged ATC, from the Boho Dreams ATC collection, to which I added lots of glitter and sparkle. I die cut a tag shaped sentiment from the Girl Power sentiments set , inked around the edges in blue and added a pink bow. I matted onto gold, then black card - quite a simple, but effective card. 

Boho Dreams ATC                          Girl Power sentiments

   

*** 

And finally ...

This was the card I made for the start of the challenge. 

You can see the details here.

That's all for now!

I hope you'll join our Bohemian Rhapsody challenge where the winner will get a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product (this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the monthly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. 

Do come and join us!

I'll be back on the 27th October with my Gecko Galz Blog Hop projects and a FREE collage sheet. 

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

ATCs

* Pammies Inky Pinkies #2242 AG 23/10

* TTCRD AG Oct 11 25/10

* A Perfect Time to Craft Oct AG 28/10 Spotlight Winner

Hamsa Card

* Welove2create  #10 AG  28/10 

* Classic Design Challenge #10 AG 28/10

 * 613 Avenue Create Oct AG 31/10  5/8 TOP ROCKER   

* Worldwide Open DT Challenge #10 AG 1/3 11/11

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***

Gecko Galz: A Stitch in Time Card

  Hello

September is upon us and we have a new customer challenge at the Gecko Galz blog.  

The theme this month is A Stitch in Time.

We also have the monthly Image Challenge, the monthly Christmas Image Challenge, the monthly Stamp Challenge, a Steampunk challenge and a Gothic Challenge on the blog, as well as 4 Facebook challenges. 

We hope you can find some time to join in the fun.

The winner of the Customer challenge will get a $25 Gecko Galz Etsy Store voucher and the runner up a $12 voucher. There are plenty of free Gecko Galz images if you don't already own any. Each blog post has a free image to collect and, if you sign up for the monthly newsletter, there is the chance to claim a free collage set each month.  Also if you make any purchase of $2 or more you receive a free image.

I made a card:

The sweet and lovely image is from the Sew Vintage Collage set. The papers are from my stash. I used my sewing machine to stitch around the papers, tucked a die cut doily behind the image mat and added 3 vintage style buttons.

Sew Vintage

That's all for now!

I hope you'll join our Stitch in Time challenge where the winner will get a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product (this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the monthly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. 

Do come and join us!

I'll be back on the 20th September with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "A Stitch in Time"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

TTCRD 30th Aug AG 13/09

Classic Design Challenge #9 AG 27/09
* A Perfect Time to Craft AG 28/09 SPOTLIGHT WINNER

* 613 Avenue Create Sept AG 30/09
                                 

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***

* Gecko Galz: Ballerina Girl

 Hello

Here comes September and Gecko Galz has a brand new customer challenge. This month we are featuring Ballerina Girls and we can't wait to see what you make.

The challenge runs from the 1st to the 29th September. 

The winner will get a $25 Gecko Galz Etsy Store voucher and the runner up a $12 voucher. There are plenty of free Gecko Galz images if you don't already own any. Each blog post has a free image to collect and, if you sign up for the monthly newsletter, there is the chance to claim a free collage set each month.  Also if you make any purchase of $2 or more you receive a free image.

Here is my project:

I altered the cover of a hard backed notebook.

The beautiful ballerina image is from the At The Ballet collage set and I teamed it with paper from the Land of the Fey ATC set. I added gesso, then grit paste through a stencil onto the book cover and when it was dry I lightly brushed gold wax over it. It gives a lovely worn, yet opulent look.

I added the topper next  and added more gold in the form of acrylic paint along some of the torn edges of the background.  A piece of cheesecloth and some die cut and coloured flowers and leaves were arranged in two opposite corners. The ends of the leaves were left loose to add some dimension and movement. 

I finished the cover by splattering white and gold paint all over. I love the shabby chic look this gives.

At The Ballet                                    Land of the Fey

 

That's all for now!
I hope you'll join our Ballerina Girl challenge where the winner will get a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product 
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 
Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the monthly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. 
Do come and join us!

This month on the 11th September, Gecko Galz DT member, Kim is holding a Treasure Hunt on our Facebook page. 

Why not come and join in the fun?

I'll be back on the 20th September with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Ballerina Girl"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

* Watercooler Challenges #323 Feminine 06/09

* Crafters Cafe #273 AG 13/09

* Penny's Challenges #504 AG 14/09

* A Perfect Tme To Craft AG 27/09 Spotlight Winner

* Your Scrapbook Place Sept AG 28/09

* ABMTTC Extra Sept AG 30/09

* Crafty Creations #425 AG 30/09

* Love to Scrap #149 AG 30/09

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***

* Gecko Galz: Sea of Dreams 2

 Hello

Today is my DT day at Gecko Galz and I have some more Summer inspired projects to share. 

The customer challenge theme this month is Sea of Dreams and these are my interpretation of that theme.

My first project is an altered notebook, so that plans for summer days out and picnics can be noted down.

This lovely image, from Beauty and the Beach, shouts summertime to me - she's running along the beach with her puppy and looks so happy! I think I see her handsome partner following behind! So the image was printed and the edges distressed. I popped it onto paper from the Tortuga Bay ATC set, rounding the corners on the right hand side to match the shape of the notebook. I used a black Sharpie marker to colour the kraft coloured notebook cover in black. Some gold, sequin-waste trim was layered across the paper, then the image glued on top. I found this trim in my stash and added it along the left hand side - I secured it in place with bulldog clips until it was fully adhered. Some die cut seaweed was also adhered around the image for texture and dimension.

The title is Tim Hotz alphabet tiles stuck onto white card. I trimmed around the card and added some Glossy Accents to make the words dimensional.

For my second project, I made two mini notecards.

The papers are from the Tortuga Bay ATC set once more. I added white paint splatters and die cut small squares to add behind each image.

These three ladies are also from the Beauty and the Beach collage set. Everything is glued flat and the dies and dried flowers add a little texture and dimension.

This image is from the Aloha collage set. The words I chose came from the Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker book.

My final project is a set of cards.

This was the one I blogged about on the 1st July and if you want the details you can see them here.

That's all for now!
I hope you'll join our Sea of Dreams challenge where the winner will get a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product 
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 
Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the monthly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. 
Do come and join us!

I'll be back on the 1st August with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Sea of Dreams"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

Altered Notebook

* Crafting Happiness #105 AG 24/07

* Pammies Inky Pinkies #2129 AG 25/07

* Always Fun Challenges #223 Anything but a Card 25/07

Note Cards

Use Your Stuff #427 Summer Fun 01/08 Spotlight

* Get Creative #103 AG/Water 01/08

* Allsorts Challenge #633/4 Feminine 01/08

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***